Anyone who characterizes NFL defensive linemen as a bunch of grunts in the trenches doesn’t know Dolphins’ end Jared Odrick.

After playing almost all of his snaps in three basic alignments in Miami’s 3-4 defense last year, Odrick said this week he’s lined up in as many as eight different spots this season in the complex 4-3 scheme employed by defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle.

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While he continues to be overshadowed by sack specialist Cam Wake at the other end, Odrick has already exceeded last year’s total of 22 tackles (he has 26), and Coyle said he played his best game of the season last week against Seattle, when he had four tackles (two for losses) and a sack of Russell Wilson on a key third-and-17 in the final minutes of the game.

“Early in the season I wasn’t sure what (Coyle’s) vision was for a player in my position,” Odrick said. “Now I’ve got a better idea, and that’s allowed me to play more fluid.”